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Emperor visits father's tomb to report upcoming abdication

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As preparations for the imperial succession move forward, the cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe decided the same day to appoint the crown prince's top aide, Nobutake Odano, 71, as the new grand chamberlain as of May 1.

71 year old aide? More like keeper!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Honoring the dead here in Japan is a serious tradition! It's not just the Emperor, many of us "regular" folks here typically pay our respects to our dead ancestors at least once a year. Depending upon where you live, even more. Not to mention the beliefs that surround Obon,

The ceremonies down here associated with funerals, and the anniversaries, and yearly obon observances, help to keep the spirit of the departed family members close.

A hell of a lot better than in many western cultures, when after the body is buried, it's back to business as usual, and far too many people have to suffer alone!

I have been heavily involved in both, my father and mother's passing in the states, and my in-laws passing here, and I will tell you, here, one is rarely alone for at least the first 49 days! (At least here in Okinawa!)

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I talk to dead people as well. It's quite common when someone close to you has died. You know them so well, you can pretty much imagine what they would say back. It's comforting.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Solem and respectful! A very dignigied moment there!

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Huge great tomb, is it a family mausoleum or just for the old emperor. I thought Japan was short of space?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

I talk to dead people as well. It's quite common when someone close to you has died. You know them so well, you can pretty much imagine what they would say back. It's comforting.

My mother, in the states, was cremated after her death, my family sent me a bit of her ashes, that I keep on the family altar here in our house. I often light a candle, and incense here, and talk with her too!

My mom is never far from my heart!

5 ( +5 / -0 )

The Imperial Household Agency (Kunaicho) have the current emperor taking part in around 9 ceremonies relating to his abdication, and the new one doing around 10 ceremonies over the next month, of which the public know next to nothing and never see, mostly held in the Imperial Palace, but also at Ise Grand Shrine, the Musashi Imperial Graveyard, Nara and Kyoto.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Beautiful scenes. Shinetsu no gi ceremony displays the Japanese custom of communicating with deceased ancestors. There is absolutely zero doubt that we can talk to deceased ancestors and friends. The Spirit of the Dead always lives on, which is a fact. It is up to descendants to communicate with them.

Thank you, Emperor Akihito, for displaying this with your father Emperor Hirohito at Musashino Imperial Graveyard.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

The article says Musashino Imperial Graveyard, it is the Musashi Imperial Graveyard. (Musashi 武蔵 not musashino 武蔵野)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The article says Musashino Imperial Graveyard, it is the Musashi Imperial Graveyard. (Musashi 武蔵 not musashino 武蔵野)

The translators are mixing Japanese and English here, Mushashi-no Imperial Graveyard. It is located in the "old" Musashi Provincial area.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Even in Japanese where everything about the emperor is very formal and strict, it is hardly or almost never referred to as the 武蔵陵墓地 or *武蔵*陵墓地 but rather just 武蔵陵墓地 Musashi Ryoubouchi / Musashi Imperial Graveyard.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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